Helder Costa is still with Leeds for the time being, although he might depart at any time.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Helder Costa remains uncertain about his future at Leeds United and is not training with the first-team.
- Costa, originally from Benfica and known for his time with Wolves, has struggled to replicate his form at Leeds.
- The possibility of a transfer for Costa has diminished as deadlines in Saudi Arabia and Qatar have passed, leaving him to potentially leave on a free transfer.
Helder Costa is still a Leeds United player, although he isn’t practising with the first team because his future is unknown.
Who exactly is Helder Costa?
The 29-year-old attacker came up through the ranks at Benfica, but he is best known in the UK for his stint with Wolves, when he helped the Black Country club reach the Premier League.
A loan move to Leeds was completed in 2019, with the transfer becoming permanent a year later.
Costa, though, was unable to reproduce his form for the Whites at Molineux, and he has been out of the picture in recent years.
Helder Costa is stuck in Leeds.
The Angola international spent the previous season with former manager Nuno Espirito Santo at Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, but the move was not permanent, therefore he returned to Elland Road for pre-season.
Since then, there has been much speculation that Costa might leave, but a deal was not completed before the UK deadline earlier this month, limiting the player’s options.
Nonetheless, it was suggested that Costa return to Saudi Arabia or go to Qatar, but both deadlines have already past as well.
As a result, if the ex-Monaco wants to find a new club before the end of the season, he’ll have to go on a free transfer.
After Farke offered an update on the player today, writer Phil Hay hinted that could happen.
“Farke stated that there has been no change with Helder Costa. Because he wishes to depart, he is not a member of the first team. What happens next is up to the player and the club.”
When does Helder Costa’s contract with Leeds expire?
Costa has entered the final year of his contract at Elland Road, thus a mutual termination agreement may be reached, since it is not as hard as it could be if he had years left on his contract.
Costa, on the other hand, may feel more at ease waiting until January, when he will have more options and may sign a pre-contract with clubs outside of England.
Is Helder Costa required by Leeds United?
Costa has no future at Leeds, and Farke doesn’t need him as part of the group moving ahead, so a departure would be beneficial to all sides.
Farke has so much quality out wide with Wilfried Gnonto, Jaidon Anthony, Crysencio Summerville, and Dan James in the bunch that it could be a struggle for him to keep them all pleased.
What comes next for Leeds?
This is a matter that will be sorted off the field, but Farke’s only focus will be continuing the good form that his team has displayed in recent weeks.
The Whites are unbeaten in six Championship games after a sluggish start, and the major players at Leeds are starting to find their form, which will alarm their promotion opponents.
Leeds travel to Southampton for the early game on Saturday, and while the Saints have lost four in a row, they will present a hard test.
